DEFENDING champion Talisay City Aquastars and Tuburan have stretched their playoff winning streak to three games after beating separate foes in the 2019 Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities/Municipalities Basketball Tournament at the Alegria Sports Complex on Monday, April 22.
The Aquastars made quick work of Minglanilla Archangels to a lopsided 91-78 win. Talisay City set the tone early with a 31-10 blitzkrieg in the first quarter..
Talisay City saw its lead balloon to 35 points, 59-24, at the half.
The Aquastars did not look back until the final buzzer. Kendrick Abarquez had 15 points, Keath Taburnal and John Villabrille each handed 14, while Jay Deiparine chipped in 12 for the Talisay City, which improved to a 3-0 (win-loss) record.
Tuburan also kept its winning ways going after beating the determined Sogod, 90-81, to stay unbeaten in the playoffs of the event organized by the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission for grassroots players aged 21 years old and below.
Tuburan rushed to an early 28-19 edge in the opening quarter, but unlike in the other game, Sogod was able to trim down the deficit to three points, 45-42, after the second period.
Sogod even managed to get a six-point edge, 66-60, after the third quarter, but Tuburan spelled the difference in the payoff period with a backbreaking 30-15 run to get the nine-point win.
Joyce Lee Oropiano and Romyr Kirt Gonzaga combined for 45 points while Raindee Sipalay poured in 18 points for the winning team.
Talisay City and Tuburan share the lead in the Bracket B with a 3-0 card followed by Minglanilla (2-2) and Consolacion (2-1). In the other Bracket B game, Alegria capitalized on its home court advantage as it downed Tabuelan, 111-99, for its first win in three outings in the second round.
Jamil Mahinay and Christian Jay Garcia finished with 24 points apiece, while Patrik Devilla and Jomarie Ramos contributed 17 points each.
In Bracket A, Medellin defeated Argao, 94-84, Balamban outlasted Samboan, 77-65, and Danao City Danao City slammed Dumanjug, 96-70. (RSC)